Zone 10, 25 foot maximum, least aggressive running bamboo

9 years ago

I have been searching the forums and often see one genus or another of running bamboo referred to as "a very aggressive runner."

Is there a running bamboo which is not considered an aggressive runner?

I live in Zone 10, SoCal, and am looking for something which will grow to 25 feet within a narrow area. There will be a rhizome barrier, but I'd still be interested to hear of something which would be less invasive.

As of now, I am strongly considering S. Fastuosa, Phyllostachys aureosulcata Spectabilis, or Phyllostachys Vivax Aureocaulis.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

User
9 years ago
If you are in S. Cal., why not grow any of a number of sub-/tropical clumping species? (I am sure some runners are more aggressive than others, so too none will ever be as potentially, aggressively spreading for you in your climate as compared to in the East with its humid, WET summers.) Runners are popular in many areas of the country because they can grow relatively fast and will tolerate very cold winters. Clumping Fargesias will succeed where winters are not too severe (or summers too hot), but not sure if any of these reach your height specification of 25 feet. I would investigate Bambusa, Fargesia, Borinda, and other clumpers. Also, are you under water restrictions of any kind? Bamboo are water lovers big time, especially while getting established.
User
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions! The primary issue with using clumpers for our given space is that it is extremely narrow, about 2 feet. I talked to the bamboo nursery, and two gardeners who work with bamboo, and all felt that runners would be better for the space since a clumper would end up damaging the surrounding patio space and retaining wall. All said the runners, although invasive, can be managed with the barrier and pruning. And they said the growth of the clumper mass wouldn't be as manageable. I'm not sure. I went into this thinking I would be looking at clumpers, and didn't expect to be looking at the runners.

After some more research, I have crossed S. Fastuosa off the list. There were too many accounts of rhizomes traveling fairly deep.

And Phyllostachys Vivax Aureocaulis is also crossed off the list. It's too big for the space.

So, I'm left with Spectabilis. People say the rhizomes tend to stay shallow, so it'll be easier to manage. And it does away with worries about it going under the barrier.

Another option is Japonica, which is also said to have shallow rhizome spread, but it's not as appealing to me as Spectabilis.

Just need to make the final decision if I'm going to go ahead with the bamboo or take the easy way out and go with Dodonaea Purpurea, which won't give me the height I want for the hedge, but won't have the same invasiveness concerns.

The bamboo is for a border that totals 85' by 2'. Given that the yard is mostly concrete, I'm not too worried about my water usage being excessive. For the past year, I haven't been using any water back there, since the border is just filled with dirt.
Related Discussions
Tell me about your running bamboo in Z5!
Q
Comments (24)
Hi Bonitapplebum, I live in western Cleveland Ohio zone5 b and I have P.aureosulcata yellow groove bamboo. I dont have a barrier but I do prune the unwanted rhizome by digging around and finding the runner and pull up the runner like a zipper and replace in the direction I want it to go or cutting it and dumping the unwanted in the garbage. ( my neighbors dont get bamboo.) I dont have a problem that I know of. I started my small groove 3 years ago. I doesnt get too tall here yet and there is some die back but so far hasn't died. This year it was very cold and a lot of snow so I dont know yet if it has died. I know someone near me that has the same bamboo and they have a healthy sized groove with there culms are over 15 ft high and they come back after some whitening with winter die back. I'm going over there next week to ask how they prune. You can email later to ask what I have found out. I say go for it but prune back like Inversa said on (RE: OK, so root pruning is really hard and not that effective?).. An even easier way is to build a raised bed framed with timbers or stone, or just a mound of soil for the bed and you see most of the rhizomes peeking out the sides and you can snip them off, a few will get past but keep your eyes open. if a shoot comes up where you don't want bamboo then get rid of that section of rhizome. I think I would like to try that sounds like a good idea! Mzkrista
...See More
Anyone try growing bamboo in zone 4 MN?
Q
Comments (25)
I have bamboo in my garden in Canada. It was given to me by my neighbour who has grown the same stand of bamboo for 20 years. No care is necessary... no mulching, covering etc. It grows to 12' to 14' each year. Has long green leaves & it turns a pretty beige color in the winter, with feathery seed heads at the top.. doesn't flower till late september. We have minus 35 C winters here & it never bothers this bamboo. I would love to get more but don't know the name...it looks a bit like Pseudosasa Japonica, but I'm not sure
...See More
I am trying a timber zone 6 hardy running bamboo
Q
Comments (39)
Poaky, I have some clumpers and some runners. You really betta be prepared to work if you plant any runner. Of the clumpers, we grow Fargesia rufa"green panda bamboo". It forms a tense grove if given some protections from Summer and Winter sun here in NJ/Zone 7. They were expensive initially, but each year I divided the clumps and extended the wall of bamboo. It is completely non-agressive and has 0% dieback in our winter, and is deer proof. So now there is a solid wall of evergreen bamboo on the eastern border of the house with neighbors (about 10 feet tall). I also have some runners in the back but am ever vigilant to keep them in check. This year was a mixed bag. There are openings in the tree canopy (due to previous hurricane damage), so light for bamboo to expand but there's been moderate drought, so they are kept in check. Besides, I have other weeds from HELL that make the bamboo look like a dream come true! It's all about balance with the running bamboo. They can be very aggressive given good growing conditions and a lack of vigilance. My intent is to plant more TREES in the back and create more shade to curtail (but not eliminate the running bamboo), and my new NEMESIS..., Scottish Thistle (The true weed from HELL). We got rid of a grove of running bamboo only to have this evil plant come out of nowhere to colonize. It's got 6-8 foot stems covered in thorns that penetrate my gardening gloves. I thought the bamboo was bad until I inherited this god awful weed. Now, I am rooting for the running bamboo!!
...See More
Palms for tropical yard zone 10a-b
Q
Comments (111)
It appears that 3 of the 4 Samoan seedlings sprouts are making some progress with new growth. Don't know why but the 4th one of them seems to be near death, almost completely browned out. :( I've read the strong sun/heat can crack the husk too much and cause the plant to have a reduced resistance to the environment. Maybe sunburn, overwatering, underwatering? Maybe 100% success rate is asking too much. If it dies, I think I'm going to replace it with a Satakentia liukiuensis rather than another coconut palm.
...See More

Related Stories

By Jennifer Ott Design

Want maximum efficiency in your kitchen? Consider forgoing the old-fashioned triangle in favor of task-specific zones

Full Story

163

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Small Garden? You Can Still Do Bamboo

By Matt Kilburn

Forget luck. Having bamboo that thrives on a wee plot just takes planning, picking the right variety, and keeping runners in check

Full Story

WORKING WITH PROS Your Guide to a Smooth-Running Construction Project

By Incite Design

Find out how to save time, money and your sanity when building new or remodeling

Full Story

119

SMALL KITCHENS Houzz Call: Show Us Your 100-Square-Foot Kitchen

By Mitchell Parker

Upload photos of your small space and tell us how you’ve handled storage, function, layout and more

Full Story

176

HOUZZ CALL Houzz Call: Show Us Your 8-by-5-Foot Bathroom Remodel

By Mitchell Parker

Got a standard-size bathroom you recently fixed up? We want to see it!

Full Story

262

BATHROOM WORKBOOK 5 Ways With a 5-by-8-Foot Bathroom

By Mitchell Parker

Look to these bathroom makeovers to learn about budgets, special features, splurges, bargains and more

Full Story

403

KITCHEN STORAGE Kitchen of the Week: Bamboo Cabinets Hide Impressive Storage

By Carol Crotta

This serene kitchen opens up to reveal well-organized storage areas for a family that likes to cook and entertain

Full Story

BATHROOM DESIGN 10 Amenities to Make Your Bathroom Extraordinary

By Ventana Construction LLC

Go beyond the basics for a luxury bathroom experience, with extra-special options starting at only $25

Full Story

124

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Grow a Lush Privacy Screen

By Christine Tusher

No need to wait forever for patio privacy the green way. These 10 ideas will get your screening up and running in no time

Full Story

181

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Top Native Plants for the U.S. Southeast

By Falon Mihalic

For a low-maintenance and wildlife-friendly landscape, use Southern natives that withstand heat and humidity

Full Story

Zone 10, 25 foot maximum, least aggressive running bamboo

Comments (2)

User

User
Original Author

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Zone 10, 25 foot maximum, least aggressive running bamboo

Comments (2)

User

UserOriginal Author

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

User
Original Author